Smartphone Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the faster phone

Head-to-head specifications

MetricSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GSamsung Galaxy Note 20 UltraDifference
AnTuTu v10 score900,997737,285+22.2%
ChipsetExynos 2100Exynos 990
Display6.7" 120 Hz6.9" 120 Hz
Battery (mAh)4,8004,500+6.7%
Rear cameras12+64+12 MP108+12+12 MP
Front camera (MP)1010
RAM / storage (base)8 GB / 128 GB12 GB / 128 GB
Max configuration8 GB / 256 GB12 GB / 512 GB
Weight (g)200208-3.8%
Connectivity / unlock5G · Under-display5G · Under-display
Launch price (USD)$999–$1,049$1,299–$1,499-23.1%
  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G leads on raw performance by about 22% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2100 vs Exynos 990).
  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Verdict: Galaxy S21+ 5G or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?

Our recommendation
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G takes the overall edge, though Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins in specific areas worth weighing.

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G advantages

  • Raw performance (+18%)
  • Battery capacity (+6%)
  • Affordability (+23%)

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra advantages

  • Camera resolution (+41%)
  • Memory (+33%)

Which should you choose?

  • Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
  • Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra if photography is your priority.
  • Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.

Value for money

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: which should you choose?

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G — Samsung Android 11 smartphone (2021) with a 6.7-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Exynos 2100, 4800 mAh battery and 64MP main camera, scoring about 900,997 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $999.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — Samsung Android 10 smartphone (2020) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Exynos 990, 4500 mAh battery and 108MP main camera, scoring about 737,285 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,299.

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G leads on raw performance by about 22% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2100 vs Exynos 990). Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Performance and everyday use

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the faster device on raw benchmarks (900,997 vs 737,285 on AnTuTu v10), running the Exynos 2100 against the Exynos 990. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.

Display and battery

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G carries a 6.7-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Batteries are 4,800 and 4,500 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.

Cameras, storage and price

Rear arrays are 12+64+12 MP versus 108+12+12 MP, with 10 MP and 10 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 12 GB / 128 GB. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the more affordable at about $999 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.

The verdict

Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G better than the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G takes the overall edge, though Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins in specific areas worth weighing. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G leads on raw performance by about 22% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2100 vs Exynos 990).

What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G leads on raw performance by about 22% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2100 vs Exynos 990). Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Which is better value?

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Which should I choose?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra if photography is your priority.

Methodology

Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.

ER
EquivalentTo Research
Data & Benchmarks Team

We compile published benchmark results (Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6, AnTuTu v10, 3DMark), manufacturer specifications and market pricing from nine regions into normalized, comparable datasets. Every figure traces to a named public source listed on each page.

Benchmark leaderboard compilationMulti-market pricing normalizationUnit & currency conversion
✓ Reviewed by EquivalentTo Editorial Review, Data Quality & Methodology.
Last updated 2026-07-01
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G profile → Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra profile → Compare something else

Related comparisons